how to make pretty spring pillowcases

so last summer, we bought this amazing couch.  we just love it.  but it is super duper deep and to sit comfortably, you must have big pillows on the back.  i have been trying to make a variety of cases over the last 10 months in order to spice up the living room seasonally.

the challenge?  to use materials on hand.  i mean it.  not spending a dime.  well i bought the pillow forms, but other than that i have been frugally trying to channel my inner tim gunn.  make it work.  i hit a roadblock this winter and never finished these because nothing i had really spoke to me.  i was afraid that was happening again as spring approached.  i had ideas - mostly involving ruffles and lace - but i couldn't pull it together.  finally, something just clicked one night.  i have this amazing box of sample fabrics and trims sent over from my amazing friend jane (still owe a post on that one. . .) and i feel like a kid in a candy store everytime i open it up.  these gorgeous trims were included in the package.  coming across them while cleaning out the craft area (which does wonders for my creative juices) i felt inspired.

materials used:
assorted trimmings - lace, ribbons, etc.
white cotton
pink striped chenille
grass green thread
sewing machine, scissors, rotary cutter, ruler, straight pins, etc.



i started by collecting the trims i would use, playing with the colors and textures.



i added some ribbon from my stash.



i  began arranging them on the cotton squares that would make the front of the pillows. playing around with the color and width placement was so much fun.  yeah, i am a bit of a dork.  that's okay.



inspired by the idea of new grass growing, i cut the tips at angles.  using a clear ruler helps with the spacing before pinning.



i chose green thread because 1) changing the thread to coordinate with each trim seems like torture to me and 2) it furthers the grass idea. 



one down, two to go



pale pink striped chenille on the backs with an envelope closure



oooh, likin' the textures all together



tada!  three pretty spring pillowcases.